How to tell a PAL and SECAM VHS signal apart?

[digicube]

I only have a NTSC VCR. How do i know if the tape is PAL or SECAM? Image only appears during fast forward or rewind.

[Cornucopia]

For all intents & purposes, all non-NTSC tapes can be considered PAL. The pal vs. secam difference is regarding broadcast transmission.

You wouldn't be able to discern anything with an NTSC-only deck, however. And if you got a muti-standard deck, you'd still need a display that accepted pal-format signals. Only "standards-converting" players can output an NTSC signal from a PAL tape.

Scott

[digicube]

Can capture device like ADVC110 capture SECAM tapes when using SECAM VCRs?

What are examples of standards converting players?

[hech54]

You will not capture anything other than an NTSC tape on an NTSC VCR.

[manono]

Can capture device like ADVC110 capture SECAM tapes when using SECAM VCRs?

Yes, as can most USB capturing devices. I have an ADVC300 and there are switches underneath you set for NTSC/PAL/SECAM. I assume it's the same for a 110. Read the manual to confirm.

[digicube]

It seems from the comments that the only way to know is to get a multi system vcr which is expensive.

[hech54]

It seems from the comments that the only way to know is to get a multi system vcr which is expensive.

Actually that is the wrong term(multi system vcr). All PAL machines(unless they are antique top-loaders) are "multi system vcrs"....you are thinking
of a "converting" VCR (one that converts between PAL and NTSC on the fly).....those are expensive.

[DB83]

I think the correct term is 'Multi-Standard'. Even a PAL vcr can not playback a SECAM tape. It can handle NTSC though.

[hech54]

I think the correct term is 'Multi-Standard'. Even a PAL vcr can not playback a SECAM tape. It can handle NTSC though.

I know they cannot do a "SECAM L"(old France, East Germany) tape. Most stock PAL machines can do a ME SECAM (Middle East) tape. Not sure why though.
I have one SECAM L tape that I was looking for a machine to play it in, but later I found the straight PAL version of the tape so I gave up looking for an "L" machine.

[dellsam34]

Multi standard machines can capture SECAM but in black and white only, At least mine does, the JVC HR-S7600AM S-VHS deck.

[pandy]

Very limited number of VCR's was capable to record SECAM, most of them transcoded SECAM as modified PAL and recorded such signal like PAL.
SECAM is fundamentally different than NTSC and PAL - it use Frequency Modulation to record Hue and Saturation signals when NTSC and PAL use Phase Modulation.
FM spectrum is way more complex.

[nesburf]

So I have a Panasonic NV-HD620 VCR. I'm playing back a PAL tape that started off playing ok, and now about halfway through the tape the video has gone black and white. Can I assume whoever originally recorded this tape switched formats and I am now seeing some type of SECAM signal now?

[digicube]

Yes I read native SECAM from France does that.

[nesburf]

So I guess I'm SOL unless I can find a SECAM VCR...well that's a pain in the ass

[digicube]

Yes France is known to be a pain in the ass.

[JVRaines]

..

[hech54]

I came across a YouTube video years ago discussing SECAM (L) and the very knowledgeable guy gave me a list of VCRs he knows are SECAM(or can play a tape as true SECAM):
Daewoo ST241S
Sony SLV-ED7FS
Sony SLV-SX70

THOMSON VTH7090U
PANASONIC AG-W1

HITACHI VT 598EM
SHARP VC-890ET

After scouring Ebay for about 4 years - I've never found one....

[Pinto007]

Even a PAL vcr can not playback a SECAM tape.

Panasonic NV-HS930 probably playbacks SECAM B/G and D/K.

[pandy]

So I have a Panasonic NV-HD620 VCR. I'm playing back a PAL tape that started off playing ok, and now about halfway through the tape the video has gone black and white. Can I assume whoever originally recorded this tape switched formats and I am now seeing some type of SECAM signal now?

Not necessarily - it may be outcome that something make PAL chroma burst deviate from normal by more than color decoder is able to follow and as such decoder turn of color decoding - also chrominance level may be bellow threshold value and as such automatic gain control is unable to adjust proper level... also other thins may be involved - in VCR times digital color encoders was quite rare and also one country use usually one color system standard.
I rather suspect poor recording conditions than some tricky color system change.

[themaster1]

How to tell if it's pal or secam (too easy) If it's pinkish it's secam (pink on the side of the frame). What do i win ?
On an another note if you guys are looking for a french vcr (secam L) type " magnétoscope " as keyword wherever you're shopping online (ebay or else).
But if you want my advice try to buy a Pal or ntsc tape if you can...

[hech54]

On an another note if you guys are looking for a french vcr (secam L) type " magnétoscope " as keyword wherever you're shopping online (ebay or else). But if you want my advice try to buy a Pal or ntsc tape if you can...

I later found the PAL version of the same VHS tape so I'm no longer in need of a SECAM L machine.....I did figure out the "magnétoscope" trick later in my search, but the French rarely ship anything outside of France. Strange.